Golf training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A guide track (10) in the form of a flat or angled strip of looped configuration, representing a golf club swing path, is pivotally adjustably mounted between spaced side supports (12, 13), which are height adjustable, independently of said pivotal adjustment. A carriage (C), slidably mounted on the track (10) is provided with means (D) for attachment of a golf club shaft (S) including an elongate member (40) which is axially adjustable relative to the carriage (C) in a direction transverse to the track (10). 
     By allowing for three levels of adjustment, namely of track inclination, track height and shaft position transversely of the track (radially in the case of a circular track) the apparatus can very easily be adjusted to simulate the ideal swing path for anyone with normal ranges of stature within a matter of minutes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is application is a U.S. national patent application, under 35U.S.C. §371, of PCT Application GB91/01454 filed Aug. 29, 1991, andclaims priority from that application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to golf training apparatus.

Everyone familiar with the game of golf appreciates the importance ofproficient and consistent swinging of a golf club for achieving drivesof long distance and hence success in the game. A good swing depends onseveral factors including the initial posture of the golfer's body, themovement of the body during the swing and the path of the golf clubitself.

BACKGROUND ART

Apparatus enabling a golfer to become familiar with an ideal swing pathand proficient at performing same has been proposed which comprises arail or track held in a looped configuration representing an ideal golfclub swing path, and a carriage-slidably mounted on the rail forattachment of the shaft of a golf club.

When a golfer fastens his club to the carriage and stands centrallywithin the area defined by the looped rail and swings the club, thecarriage should slide freely along the rail with the club attachedthereto following the path set by the position of the rail.

Many variations of this concept have been disclosed in prior patentspecifications, such as GB 1174773, GB 1258446, U.S. Pat. No. 2,653,025U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,329, U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,701 and WO82/01471, as wellas the applicant's own prior specification GB 2210798, but suchapparatus, if ever commercially available, has never proved successful.This may be accounted for by practical difficulties in two areas, namelythe ease and speed of adjustment of the rail or track to suit users ofdifferent stature, and the smooth running of the carriage on the rail ortrack, the latter sometimes also being affected (possibly adversely)upon adjustment of the rail or track. In this respect, since the highcost of such apparatus dictates that it will mainly be used by golfinstructors at clubs its rapid ajustability to suit different playersunder tuition is essential, as is its reliable functioning.

OBJECT OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus ofthis type wherein both the inclination of the plane of the looped railor track and its overall height can be adjusted through a wide range, tosuit all possible statures, in a matter of minutes, and wherein freesliding of the carriage on the rail is assured.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention golf training apparatus comprisesspaced side support means, which are height adjustable relative to baseelements, a guide track in the form of a flat or angled strip of loopedconfiguration, representing a golf club swing path, which is pivotallymounted between the side support means for pivotal adjustment relativethereto, independent of their height adjustment, and a carriage which isslidably mounted on the track, having bearing means for contactingopposing surfaces of the guide track, and which is provided with meansfor attachment of a golf club shaft including an elongateshaft-connecting member, which is axially adjustable relative to thecarriage in a direction transverse to the track.

The track most conveniently consists of a flat strip, as that issimplest to manufacture and minimises complexity of carriageconstruction, and most importantly is less likely than any other form oftrack to result in problems of distortion or unevenness which couldhinder free sliding of the carriage. However, a track of angularcross-section, may also prove suitable.

Furthermore, the track advantageously consists of a continuous closedloop configuration in one plane. Again, that simplifies manufacture andminimises complexity which could give rise to problems, upon adjustment,in free running of the carriage. Moreover, it results in a particularlyrobust construction, with potential for mechanical faults minimised. Ithas been found that such configuration is in no way detrimental tosimulation of an ideal swing path. In practical embodiments the trackshape may advantageously approximate to a circle, and in cases where thetrack is a flat strip, the major surfaces thereof are preferablyperpendicular to the plane of the track.

In practical embodiments the side support means may advantageouslyconsist of respective sub frames, eg. of triangular configuration, whichare particularly high in mechanical strength, rigidity and stability.

Height adjustment of each side support relative to its base element mayadvantageously be accomplished by way of a mechanism including a pair ofobliquely extending beams which pivotally intersect intermediate theirends so as to vary their relative angular dispositions (in scissor likemanner).

Additionally or alternatively height adjustment of each side supportrelative to its base element may advantageously be accomplished by amechanism which includes threadedly interengaged parts, one of which isheld against rotation and is displaceable relative to the other uponrotation of the latter.

Furthermore, mechanisms for height adjustment of the respective sidesupport means are advantageously interconnected for simultaneousactuation.

In practical embodiments the height adjustment mechanisms may be encasedwithin respective telescopic casings, for safety and aesthetic reasons.

The respective base elements are advantageously interconnected so as toenhance the stability of the structure.

The apparatus preferably includes means for holding the looped track inselected angular positions relative to the side supports means. Suchmeans may conveniently comprise one or more elongate members pivotallyconnected to the track and provided with a row of apertures or notcheswhereby it can be secured relative to the side support means. Inpreferred practical embodiments such an elongate member is provided on aframe structure which is fixedly attached to the lower region of thelooped track, and is selectively securable to a cross piece extendingbetween the side support means.

The carriage may comprise at least two parts, each provided with bearingmeans, the two parts either being hingedly adjustable relative to eachother, but fixed at an appropriate relative angle in use, or remainingfreely swingable relative to each other during use.

It is possible, however, that the carriage may be designed in one piece,despite problems in achieving the necessary precision in shape to ensuretrouble free sliding around the track in all circumstances.

In preferred practical embodiments, the carriage consists of threeparts, namely a bridging part and respective end parts, provided withthe bearing means, hingedly connected to each end thereof. The axiallyadjustable, elongate, shaft connecting element is then convenientlymounted on said bridging part, for adjustment relative thereto. In thisrespect the bridging part may be provided with a tunnel or passagewaythrough which the elongate member extends and relative to which it issecurable at any selected position.

A connection device, whereby the golf club shaft is fastened onto theaxially adjustable, elongate, shaft-connecting element, is provided andis preferably constructed so as to allow rotation of the shaft about itsown axis, pivoting of the shaft in the plane of the track and rocking ofthe shaft relative to said plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A preferred practical embodiment in accordance with the invention willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the exemplary apparatus with golf clubattached;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of the same apparatus, fromthe right hand side of FIG. 1.;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line III--III in FIG. 2 in the directionindicated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of the carriage, when mounted on the track,as in FIG. 1.;

FIG. 5 is a view on line V--V in FIG. 4, in the direction indicated;

FIG. 6 is a view on line VI--VI in FIG. 4 in the direction indicated;and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective section of a modified track profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT AND VARIANTS

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, this preferred practical embodimentcomprises a guide track 10 which is substantially circular and consistsof a continuous flat strip of metal with major surfaces perpendicular tothe plane of the circle. Suitably, the track may have a circumference ofapprox 520 cm, a diameter of approximately 165 cm, a thickness ofapproximately 6.5 mm and a width of approximately 7.5 cm. The track 10is pivotally mounted, by pins 11 at diametrically opposing positions,between respective side supports in the form of triangular subframes 12,13, also formed of flat strips of metal with major surfacesperpendicular to the planes of the respective subframes. Reinforcingcross-struts 14, 15 enhance the strength and rigidity of these subframes12, 13. It will be noted that the pins 11 are journalled in bearings 16near the apex of each subframe. The lower transverse members 17 of thesubframes 12, 13 are joined at the front by a crosspiece 18. Thesubframes 12, 13 and the crosspiece 18 are mounted above a rectangularframe consisting of four base elements 21 to 24 which form the foursides thereof (see FIG. 3) by respective height adjustment mechanisms,designated generally A and B in FIG. 1, disposed between the baseelements 21 and 23 and the lower transverse members 17 of the subframes12, 13.

One of the height adjustment mechanisms is shown in more detail in FIG.2. It consists of a pair of obliquely extending beams 19, 20 whichintersect approximately at their respective midpoints where both arepivotally mounted upon a block 25, and which are each pivotallyconnected at their respective ends to the lower transverse member 17 ofthe respective subframe 13 and to the respective base element 23therebelow. The pivot block 25 is threadedly engaged on an uprightthreaded shaft 26 which is journalled in a fixed support structure 27and extends upwardly therefrom through a cylindrical sleeve 28, whichitself extends through transverse member 17, to terminate in an actuatorin the form of a wheel 29. Since the pivot block 25 is constrainedagainst rotation by connection of the two beams 19, 20, rotation of theshaft 26, by means of actuator 29, causes it to move up and down uponthe shaft 26 thus raising and lowering the subframe 13.

A sprocket 30 is fixed to each threaded shaft 26 adjacent the lower endthereof and a belt or chain 32 is conducted around these by way offurther sprockets 31 mounted at the front corner of the basal frame 21to 24. In this way simultaneous and equal raising and lowering of bothsubframes 12, 13 is accomplished by actuation of only one wheel 29 (FIG.1).

Although not illustrated, the respective sets of oblique, pivotal beams19, 20, may be boxed in by telescopic casing means mounted from themember 17 and the base element 23 respectively, to prevent anyinterference with the height adjustment mechanism and/or for generalsafety and aesthetic reasons.

Attached to the lower region of the track 10 is a frame structureconsisting of two parallel arms 38, connected by a longer cross piece33, the latter extending parallel to a tangent of the circle andparallel to the crosspiece 18 from which it has a narrow clearance. Atthe end of each arm 38, where connected to the crosspiece 33, arespective rearwardly directed elongate bar 34 is pivotally connected.Each bar 34 has a row of apertures 35 therein (FIG. 2) and projectsabove the crosspiece 18, for engagement with a respective bracket 36 oneach subframe 12, 13 by a bolt through any selected one of theapertures. In this way, once the track 10 has been pivoted to anappropriate angle of inclination of its plane relative to the subframes12, 13 it can be securely held by the bolting of one or both of the bars34 to the respective brackets 36 using the relevant one of the apertures35.

Alternatively, a plurality of spaced notches could be provided in thebar 34 in place of the apertures 35 for simple hooked engagement of aprojection on the bracket 36.

A carriage, designated generally by reference C in FIGS. 1 and 2, isslidably mounted on the track 10. An elongate shaft-connecting rod 40 ismounted on the carriage C in axially adjustable manner and carries aconnection device D, whereby a golf club shaft S is fastened. Details ofthe carriage C and associated parts are shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

As shown, the carriage C comprises a central bridging section 41,consisting simply of a pair of narrow bars, to each end of which arespective end section 42, 43 is hingedly connected by pins 57. The endsections 42, 43 are symmetrical with respect to their connection to thebridging section 41. Each end section 42, 43 consists of parallel plates44 spaced apart at one end by the hinge pin 57 connecting the bridgingsection 41, at the other end by a spacing strut 45, and at anintermediate position by a roller 46. When the carriage is mounted onthe track 10, the plates 44 lie at either side of the track (theirplanes generally parallel to the plane of the circle) spaced from eachnarrow track edge by respective rollers 47 which are mounted on thecross strut 45 and bear against said edges. The connecting roller 46bears against the inner face of the track 10, whilst two pairs of wheels48 mounted inwardly of each plate 44 bear against the other face of thetrack 10.

The construction of the carriage in two parts which hinge relative toeach other has been found, in practice, to be particularly advantageousin ensuring free running of the carriage, ie. minimal risk of jamming orunevenness in carriage displacement, which could result in injury to theuser, in addition to general inconvenience. It should be noted, however,that the pivotal connections between the end sections 42, 43 and thebridging section 41, by way of the pins 57, need not mean that thesesections are left freely swingable relative to each other. They maysimply be adjustable, as required, with bolts or nuts associated withthe pins being tightened to fix them rigidly in their chosen relativepositions for free sliding of the carriage prior to use of theapparatus. Readjustment at any time would, of course readily be achievedby loosening those bolts or nuts again.

The shaft-connecting rod 40 extends through a passageway defined by achannel section 49 which is fixed centrally to the bridging section 41as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The channel section 49 extendsperpendicularly relative to the bridging section 41 and radially withrespect the circular track 10. The rod 40 is a sliding fit in thechannel section 49 and is axially adjustable by virtue of retainingscrews 50, which hold it in any selected axial position by pressure onan associated strip 51, which is retained within the passageway byhaving upturned ends.

The device D is connected to the radially inner end of the rod 40 by anangled connector tab 52. A stirrup connector 53 is rotatably connectedto the tab 52 and provides a pivot shaft for the pivotal mounting ofblock 54, which retains a rotatable clamping arrangement. The latterconsists of matching clamp parts 55, 56, which together define acylindrical channel portion, extending through the block 54 and retainedby enlarged rectangular end portions, in which channel the golf clubshaft S can be non-rotatably gripped. As mentioned, the clamp parts 55,56 are capable of rotation relative to the central block 54, but thelatter prevents relative axial movement of the clamp parts 55, 56 andhence of the shaft S, once the latter is firmly clamped in by tighteningof the screws 60 holding the clamp parts together.

When the apparatus is to be used, a user's golf club is fastened to thedevice D by releasing the respective clamps parts 55, 56 and resecuringthese around the shaft S of the club. The shaft S is then securely heldand is not axially moveable. The bars 34 are released and the angle ofinclination of the track 10 appropriate to the stature of the user isascertained (by trial and error) by pivoting the track on the pins 11.Once this is settled, the bars 34 are secured to hold the track 10 atthe selected angle relative to the side frames 12, 13. The height of thetrack 10 is then independently adjusted, by turning the or one of thewheels 49 to raise or lower the side frames 12, 13 which support thetrack 10. In this respect a maximum range of adjustment of between 15and 20 cm should be adequate to cater for the vast majority of potentialusers falling between about 5 ft 3 ins (1 m 60 cm) and 6 ft 3 ins (1 m90 cm) in height, since further adjustment to cater for differences inreach is effected by displacement of the rod 40, which is then securedin its selected position by the screws 50. The rod 40 should also have amaximum axial adjustment of between 15 and 20 cm.

It is important to note that after adjustment, in turn, in each of thesethree respects, the apparatus is secured, i.e. fixed, in the selectedposition. Thus the track height and inclination are fixed, the golf clubshaft S is secured in the clamp so that it is not axially moveable, andthe rod 40 is fixed in position relative to the carriage. The swing pathis thus set so that the golfer gets used to it by practicing.

A scale is provided adjacent the side support lower members 17, or onthe casing of the height adjustment mechanism, and a further scale isprovided on the rod 40 for sealing off relative to the channel 49 sothat once the apparatus is adjusted for one particular user, scalereadings can be noted, along with the number of the aperture or notchused for adjusting the angle of inclination of the track, so that thesame positions can readily be re-established for that user another time.

The three levels of adjustment--of track inclination, track height, andshaft position transversely (radially) of the track loop are found to besufficient to enable the apparatus to be adapted to the swing path ofalmost anyone within the normal range of stature variation, and it willbe appreciated that each adjustment can be accomplished very quickly andeasily indeed by way of the bars 34, one of the actuator wheel 29 andthe screws 50, respectively. In fact adjustment in all respects may takeas little as one minute to accomplish.

The above described embodiment, whilst practically favoured must be seenas illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention. Manyvariations in details (of materials, dimensions and structure) arepossible. Moveover, it should be noted in particular that the track neednot be circular, and could be ovoid, or an open (not continuous) loop,with or without end regions connected in some other way. Also, the trackneed not necessary lie in a level plane. Also, as an alternative to aflat strip, the track could have an angled profile, eg. as shown in FIG.7, with the construction of the carriage modified accordingly to fitthereto. The carriage itself might be formed in one piece, or even ifformed as two or more articulating pieces may be of somewhat differentdesign, with different numbers and arrangements of rollers, compared tothe carriage in the exemplary illustrated embodiment.

I claim:
 1. A golf training apparatus comprising:(i) spaced side supportmeans mounted on base elements and height adjustable relative to thebase elements; (ii) a guide track of looped configuration pivotallymounted between the side support means, the looped configuration of theguide track defining a golf club swing path; (iii) means for pivotallyadjusting the guide track relative to the side support means,independent of height of the side support means; (iv) a carriageslidably mounted on the guide track, the carriage comprising bearingsurfaces contacting opposite surfaces of the guide track; and (v) meansfor holding a golf club shaft, said means comprising an elongate shaftconnecting member axially adjustably connected to the carriage.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the track comprises a flat strip of loopedconfiguration.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide trackcomprises an angled strip of looped configuration.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the side support means comprise opposing subframes oftriangular configuration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprisinga height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the sidesupport means, the mechanism comprising a pair of obliquely extendingbeams each having a first end and a second end, the beams pivotallyintersecting intermediate said ends in a scissor-like manner with thefirst ends horizontally opposing each other and fixed in relation to theside support means so that height of the side support means is adjustedby movement of the beams in a scissor-like manner.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising threadedly interengaged parts, one of saidparts being fixed in relation to the obliquely extending beams and theother rotatable relative to the fixed part, rotation of the rotatablepart moving the obliquely extending beams in a scissor-like manner toadjust the height of the side support means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising means for holding the looped track in a fixed angularposition relative to the side support means, said means for holdingcomprising elongate members pivotally connected to the track andprovided with a row of apertures for securing the elongate member in afixed position relative to the side support means.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the elongate members pivotally connected at the trackare located on a frame structure, the frame structure being fixedlyattached to the looped track and securable to a cross piece extendingbetween the side support means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecarriage further comprises at least two parts, each of said partscomprising bearing means interengaged with the looped track and eachpart being hingedly adjustable relative to the other.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the carriage further comprises an elongate bridgingpart intermediate the two carriage parts.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the bridging part comprises a tunnel through which theaxially adjustable elongate shaft-connecting member extends and a meansfor securing the elongate member at a selected height relative to thebridging part.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising aconnection device for connecting a golf club shaft onto the axiallyadjustable elongate shaft-connecting element, the connection deviceallowing rotation of the shaft about its own axis, pivoting of the shaftin a plane of the track, and rocking of the shaft relative to saidplane.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carriage furthercomprises at least two parts, each of said parts comprising bearingmeans interengaged with the looped track and each part being freelyswingable relative to the other.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe carriage further comprises an elongate bridging part intermediatethe two carriage parts.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, whereinthe bridging part comprising a tunnel through which the axiallyadjustable elongate shaft-connecting member extends and a means forsecuring the elongate member at a selected height relative to thebridging part.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising aconnection device for connecting a golf club shaft onto the axiallyadjustable elongate shaft-connecting element, the connection deviceallowing rotation of the shaft about its own axis, pivoting of the shaftin a plane of the track, and rocking of the shaft relative to saidplane.
 17. A golf training apparatus comprising:(i) spaced side supportmeans mounted on base elements and height adjustable relative to thebase elements; (ii) a guide track of looped configuration pivotallymounted between the side support means, the looped configuration of theguide track defining a golf club swing path; (iii) means for pivotallyadjusting the guide track relative to the side support means,independent of height of the side support means; (iv) a carriagecomprising at least two parts, each of said parts comprising bearingmeans interengaged with the guide track, and an elongate bridging partintermediate the two carriage parts; (v) an axially adjustable elongateshaft-connecting element mounted on the bridging part, the bridging partcomprising a tunnel through which the elongate element extends, and ameans for securing the elongate element at a selected height relative tothe bridging part; and (vi) means for connecting a golf club shaft ontothe axially adjustable elongate shaft-connecting element, said means forconnection allowing rotation of the club shaft about its own axis,pivoting of the club shaft in the plane of the track, and rocking of theclub shaft relative to said plane.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the at least two carriage parts are each freely swingablerelative to each other.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the atleast two carriage parts are hingedly adjustable relative to each other.20. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a height adjustmentmechanism for adjusting the height of the side support means, themechanism comprising a pair of obliquely extending beams each having afirst end and a second end, the beams pivotally intersectingintermediate said ends in a scissor-like manner with the first endshorizontally opposing each other and fixed in relation to the sidesupport means so that height of the side support means is adjusted bymovement of the beams in a scissor-like manner.
 21. A golf trainingapparatus comprising:(i) spaced side support means mounted on baseelements and height adjustable relative to the base elements; (ii) aguide track of looped configuration pivotally mounted between the sidesupport means, the looped configuration of the guide track having aplane and defining a golf club swing path; (iii) means for pivotallyadjusting the guide track relative to the side support means,independent of height of the side support means; (iv) a carriagecomprising at least two parts, each of said parts comprising bearingmeans interengaged with the looped track, and an elongate bridging partintermediate the two carriage parts; (v) an axially adjustable elongateshaft-connecting element mounted on the bridging part, for adjustmentrelative to the bridging part, the bridging part comprising a tunnelthrough which the elongate element extends, and a means for securing theelongate element at a selected height relative to the bridging part;(vi) means for connecting a golf club shaft onto the axially adjustableelongate shaft connecting element, said means for connection allowingrotation of the club shaft about its own axis, pivoting of the clubshaft in the plane of the track, and rocking of the club shaft relativeto said plane; and (vi) a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting theheight of the side support means, the mechanism comprising a pair ofobliquely extending beams each having a first end and a second end, thebeams pivotally intersecting intermediate said ends in a scissor-likemanner with the first ends opposing each other and fixed in relation tothe side support means so that height of the side support means isadjusted by movement of the beams in a scissor-like manner.